Air Marshal Chakrit Thammavichai, the air force spokesperson, said the aircraft from Squadron 411 of Wing 41 went down at 10:20 during a combat search and rescue training flight in Chom Thong district, Chiang Mai province, about 60 kilometres southwest of Chiang Mai airport. The crash did not affect nearby residents or damage civilian property, Chakrit said.
The pilots were identified as Flight Lt. Sammacha Khunmas, an instructor pilot, and Flight Officer Korawit Jenkit. Both were killed on duty.
The AT-6TH Wolverine light attack and reconnaissance plane went down in Chom Thong district, about 60 kilometres from Chiang Mai airport, in a military training area, spokesperson Air Marshal Jackkrit Thammavichai said.
The cause of the crash of the two-seater turboprop aircraft is under investigation.
Thailand recently acquired the fighter-trainer, which is produced in the United States by Beechcraft, a part of Textron Aviation. The Thai Air Force commissioned the final of its eight AT-6TH planes in September.
The crash occurred at around 10.50am on January 29 in a remote area near Ban Huai Muang Fang Sai in Mae Soi subdistrict. The aircraft, identified as an AT-6 military plane, reportedly went down during a training flight. Emergency services and relevant agencies were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Rescue workers later confirmed that the aircraft had caught fire following the crash. Fire engines were deployed to extinguish the flames before officials were able to safely enter the area. Once the fire was brought under control, two bodies were found at the site.
Officials have now confirmed the identities of the two pilots killed in the crash as Bom and Johnny, both assigned to Wing 411 under Wing 41 in Chiang Mai, where the aircraft was based.
Amarin TV reported that the aircraft involved was a Beechcraft AT-6TH Wolverine, a light attack and training aircraft operated by the Royal Thai Air Force’s Wing 41.
The AT-6TH is a newly commissioned aircraft model that the Royal Thai Air Force considers a key addition to its fleet. The model was introduced to replace older aircraft that have since been retired and is designed for a range of missions.
Equipped with modern avionics and capable of carrying various types of weaponry, the aircraft is known for its high manoeuvrability, making it well-suited to operations in northern Thailand’s mountainous terrain.